Folding-machine



(NO Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W E CURTIS FOLDING MACHINE.

No. 531,513.. Patented Dec. 25,1894:

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FOLDING MACHINE.

SNO. 531,513. Patented Dec'. 25, 1894.

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El v 2, wm 31,'. z I 1617112 UNITED Srat'rifLS'l PATENT OFFICE.

WIL-L ESPY CURTIS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,513, dated December 25, 1894.

Application filed March 20, 1893. Serial No. 466,875. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: -k

Be it known that I, WILL EsPY CURTIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding-Machines, ofV which the following is a specification.

The several features ,of my invention and the various advantages resulting from .their use, conjointly orotherwise, will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings makinga part of this application, and to which reference is hereby made,-Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a top or plan viewcf mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2, Sheet l, is a side elevation of thesame. Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is a vertical central section of the reciprocating folder taken in the plane of the dotted line` 3, 3 of Fig. 1, viz: Ajust inside of the guides, and showing the inner side of the folder, the conveyer being removed. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, is a vertical central section with the length of the machine, illustrating the internal construction of the mechanism of thefmachine when springs are employed to allow the presser foot to be elastically elevated by theshuttle arm. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a vertical centralsection with the length of the machine when the said springs are omitted, and the arm elevates the foot by'lifting the end of the frame, and to the extent thus specified, this figure may be considered to illustrate a modification of cer.- tain features of my invention. Fig. 6, Sheet 2, is a view partly in side elevation, partly in section, illustrating the positions of the shuttle or traveling conveyer, when springs are employed to allow the presser foot to be elastically elevated by the conveyer arm, and illustrating the oscillatory movements of the conveyer arm as it travels in the guideway of the folder. Fig. 7 is a detail view, looking from right to left, at that presser foot and its connection which is at the left hand end in the preceding figures, and showing a mode by which the arm of the conveyer isV enabled to lift the presser foot. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the shuttle or reciprocating traveling conveyer. Figs. 9 and 10 are views of the details of the machine namely: outside and bottom vewsof the presser feet of the reciprothe machine.

eating folder. Fig. 1l, lSheet 3, is Aan end elevation`of the machineof the preferred form showing the presser foot F in an elevated position and the folded paper beneath. It also shows the platform and raised guides. The vertical part of Vthe drive lbar E is shown on the left, but omittedon the right. Fig. 12 is a view of a transverse vertical section of a modified formfj ust inside of the farther end from the spectator, showingl the. position of the parts when the shuttle arm has dropped on the reversing of its stroke. This View shows the folded paper beneath, and the foot pressing upon the lower part of the con veyer; also` the slotsfor vertically adjusting the feet. Fig. '13 is a view of lthe side of themachine ofpreferred form, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the end walls and operating parts in a working'positiom intermediate between the center and the end of The raised guide is broken.

away, showing the platform and folded strips upon it, also showing the spring end F7 riveted to the piece F3 of the presser foot.

A indicates the bed of the machine, pro vided with upraised guideways AA. It is also provided with a raised platform A2 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in section in. Figs. vet and 5. A portion of the top of the raised Vplatform is also seen in Fig. 1. It is likewise provided with two vertical walls A3, A3, one directly in front of the'vertically moving mechanism and one directly behind the latter. Between these walls lies the elevated platform, or at least'all Vof it which is mechanically necessary to the operation of my device. This elevated platform supports the feet of the folding mechanism, and consequently all of said mechanism which is supported by said feet. As the function ofthese walls is that of guiding the folding mechanism as it rises and falls, obviously posts or pins properly located may take the place of the said walls in performing the said functions. Of this last named mechanism, B in- Vdicates the side pieces, which before sufficient material has been folded, extend down into the grooves A, A4, present at each side of the folding platform and bet-Ween it and the raised guideway A. By the folder frame B is meant the rigid frame of the holder.

Each of the side piecesB is-provided with IOO a runway C. This runway is similar on both sides. It is of the same width everywhere, except at the center. At this point, the runway is preferably gradually narrowed by the curved convex projection C,extending downwardly into the runway. From this central portion, the runway extends downward in each direction, viz: forward and backward toward the respective ends of the side B.

Each runway operates as a guide, in which travels the adjacent end of the oscillatory arm of the reciprocating conveyer D. (See Fig. 8.) This conveyer D has a central longitudinal slot D2, through which the paper passes to be folded. The side parts, plates or pieces D' of the conveyer are preferably beveled so that their outer surfaces at the rear Y, are farther apart than at the front X, for reasons hereinafter mentioned. The ends D3 of the conveyer are each provided with the lugs D4, D, whose purpose will be hereinafter described, and are each further provided with one of the said oscillatory arms. This arm consists of the shank D, pivoted at D7 to the end D3, and having at its free end the projecting arm or projection D8. It will be observed that in connection with each arm DG, is a stop D9 on the conveyer, and this prevents the arm D(i from describing more than a semicircle, in relation to the conveyer. The functions of this stop will be obvious when the description of the mode of operation is given later on.

On the inside of each side B' of the folder are guide projections C2, and immediately below these are the guide projections C2. (See more particularly Fig. 3.) Also below the guideway C are the projections C4. These projections project inwardly, and there is a set of them on each side of the center guide C5.

The end of the conveyer D and its accompaniments are applied to the said side B and its guides as followsz--The arm or piece D6 is within the guideway C, while the arm D8 projects outside of the side B. I-Iere this arm D8 enters a slot E vertically located in the driving piece E. There are, therefore, two such driving pieces E, E, one beyond each end of the traveling conveyer D, and they are united to some common and suitable connecting piece, so as to move simultaneously forward or backward as desired. In the present illustrative instance, each of them has a foot extension E2, and these extensions are secured to the piece E2, sliding on asuitable support, one form of which is here shown, viz: the bed A. A handle A5 is, in the present instance, used to operate the piece E2, and hence reciprocate the pieces E.

A part of the main portion of the folder is the presser feet F, F, one located at the front and the other at the rear, substantially as shown. These feet are preferably roughened or serrated more or less. I have shown each of them roughened at each end, viz: at F. (See Fig. 10.)

In the preferred form of myinvcntion, the

feet elastically yield upwardly to allow the traveling conveyer to readily introduce the strip (to be folded) beneath the presser foot. To this end, the foot F is connected to avertical piece F2, and this in turn to a spring F" by a suitable connection orpiece as F2. (See Figs. 4 and 6.) A preferred mode of constructing the spring and combining it with other parts ofthe mechanism is as follows: The spring F4 is a fiat one, and is secured in position by a set screw F5. On the under side of the top or roof B2 of the folder B are two projections F6, FG. On these projections F, F6, rests the spring F4, and between them is the securing screw F5. Tightening this screw depresses the end F7 of the spring. This end F7 will, therefore, cause the presser foot to offer a greater elastic resistance, and increases its downward pressure. Loosening the screw relaxes the pressure of the spring. Downwardtmovement of the presser foot beyond a desired point is prevented by the adjacent ends of the guide C3, which latter ex tend for a short distance under the adjacent projections Fs of the piece F2 of the presser foot. In the roof B2 of the folder is a transverse slit B3 through which the strip to be folded passes.

The presser feet with springs are adjustable with the length of the machine because their being placed nearer together will necessarily shorten the travel of the conveyer, and the folds of the paper will be regulated accordingly.

Where the opening in the spring F4 through which the set screw F5 passes is a slot F12, the presser foot can thereby be adjusted nearer to or farther from the center of the folder, and the length of the fold be thus regulated.

Iwill now proceed to describe the operation of my invention.

One end of the strip of material to be folded is passed through the slit B2, and thence through the slot D2 of the traveling conveyer D, and thence carried under one of the presser feet F, (say theleft.) The conveyer when the strip is passed through it, may be at any point in its travel, but for the purposes of this description, let us suppose it to be in the center. In this oase, its front X will be downward (see Fig. 6) and its lugs D4, D4, will hug their respective guides C5, as the pieces E, E, move toward the right, draw on the arms Dsof the conveyer, and draw its front X forward. As the movement of the conveyer toward the right is continued, one of these lugs (the one now above) slides upon the upper side of the guide C3, while the one now below slides below the lower guide C4. The conveyer travels toward the right and on nearing the end of the guideway, the arms D6 then are standing erect, caused by contact with stop D, and are forced under the piece F8 of the presser foot, thereby raising the presser foot. The under edge D of the conveyer supports the weight above and carries the strip under the then elevated presservfoot, in the form of a loop. At the IOO same time, that part D of the 4conveyer which is uppermost passes over the presser foot. In other words, as the conveyer is at present constructed, the presser foot-enters the slot D2 of the conveyer. While this takes place/the lower side of the conveyer there holds down the strip of material. The instant the power is reversed (toward opposite end) the arm D6 leaves its erect position and becomes fiorizontal, thereby letting theuplifted presser foot F down on the fold. The conveyer is then driven toward the other end of the folder, in this case the left hand end. The conveyer backs correctly guided by its lugs D4, D4, in connection with guides C3 and G4, of the side B. When it nears the center O5 the upward curve C-i of the guide C3 causes the rear Y of the conveyer to' rise upwardly, and thecurve O7 on the guide C2 assists in guiding the conveyer, so that that lug D4 of the conveyer which is uppermost is directed upward, and the lower lug D4 is brought up between the left hand side of the central circular guide C5 and abovethe end C6 of the left hand guide C8.

f tinues toward the left, the front X of the `con-' The conveyer is now in the position shownby dotted lines in Fig. 4, except the arm leans to the left. As the movement ofthe pieces E conveyer now downward will be turned toward the left. The lug D4 heretofore uppermost will descend and pass under the left hand guide C4. In the meantime, the other lug D4 has passed between theguides C2 and C6 at the left of the center C5.` The position of the conveyer will be reversedvfrom that which it occupied when drawn toward the right hand end of the folder. The conveyer is moved to the left and upon the arm reaching thepiece F8 of ythe presser foot, the latter is raised so that the lower part D of the conveyer passes under the then elevated presser foot F, and carries a portion of the strip thereunder. The pieces E are then moved in a contrary direction, (to the right.) The arm D6 instantly oscillates/toa horizontal position and lets the then elevated presser foot down upon the strip just over the lower part D of the conveyer. rThis'lower part D backs out from under the presser foot F, and the latter takes its place in holding down the folded strip. 'The conveyer is then brought to the center of the folder, reversed in position, carriedk forward all the way to the right, and thus folds more of the strip and passes this fold under the adjacent presser foot, and so on continually. It will be noted that when the strip isunder one presser foot, this acts as a holder for `the strip at this point, and as the con# veyer moves away from this foot, itdraws a fresh amount of strip through the slit B3 of the folder, and the slot D2 of itself, and foldsthis and lays it under the opposite presserfoot.

The spring F4 is obviously very desirable,

and is preferably present, but may be dispensed with, and in such event the presser feet are fastened to the frame B, (see Fig. 9,)

and the gudeway is depressed at each end, substantially as shown by dotted linesin Fig. 3, and in solid lines in Fig. `5, in order to downwardly deflect the conveyer, or rather to cause the presser foot to beelevated by lifting the end of the machine, the lower side of the conveyer supporting the weight thereof,

the spring F4 being omitted. The conveyer arm as it comes to the end of the guideway elevates the end of the machine. This it does by moving under and lifting the guide projection C3, while the lower side of the conveyer D slides upon whatever folded paper is at said endof the machine. In such event, the feet are provided with means for vertical adjustment, 'vizz slots F10, F10, (see Fig. 9,) in

the pieces F2 of the presser foot and set Y be skeletonized and consist of wires or rods,

or flat strips.

kWhen the parts D of the conveyer are not beveled, it is necessary that the guides 04,03

should deflect still lower in order for the lower part D of the conveyer to be inserted quite horizontally beneath the presser foot. To avoid a steep ascent of the guides mentioned, the, sides D', D are preferably beveled as shown in Fig. S.

Instead of a handle A5, or hand power, other means may be employed to reciprocate the pieces E. A

Bythe term attendant guides on sides B will be understood the several guides whichengage the lugs D4 on the ends of the conveyer. y

YThe advantage of my machine in autographic sales registers is in folding the stored record strip; that as each record of transaction is consecutively numbered, in referring thereto the number desired may be found by simply parting the folds, substantially as tinding the page in a book. When such record is rolled it, for reference, must be unrolled and again rerolled for keeping. When in the convenient form of folds,this record strip may serve as a journal in someclasses o'f business andthus dispense with much work in bookkeeping, avoiding liability to error in copying, and necessitating only one reference in tracing from the ledger to the original entry.

Similar advantages are obtained in keeping telegraph records in folded form. The minutes, or copies thereof, of business Jmeetings may thus be kept in continuous record and no portion become displaced.

In manifolding, when desired, each strip may pass immediately from the manifolding IOO IZOY

machine into a folder, and thus each copy is putin the convenient form of reciprocated folds.

-Ribbons, lace, cambric, linens, dry goods, leather, aluminum and other flexible material in form of strips may thus be foldedy rial, the presser feet, a reciprocating con' veyer for locating the folded material beneath them, a frame vertically reciprocal, and containing the presser feet, and also guides whereby the conveyer is properly reciprocated in yrelation to the flexible material and the presser feet, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a machine for folding strips, theopposite presserfeet, a frame in connection with them, the frame having sides as B', provided with guidew'ays C, and attendant guides, and a conveyerhaving a slot D? therein, and hav ing means substantially as described for engaging said guides, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In a machine for folding strips, the oppov site presser feet and the sides B' providedr with guideways C and attendantk guides, the conveyer having a sloty therein, and having means substantially as described for engag-y ing the guides, and chute or guiding slot B3 formed by connecting parts of the frame-Work, substantially as described.

4. ln a machine for folding strips, the-oppo site presser feet, a frame in connection with them, a conveyer having the slot D2, and at the ends the lugs D, D4, and stops D9, and arm D6, having projectingarm D8,the folder frame having an opening B3, and sides each provided with a guideway C, and guides as C3, C6, above and C4 below, and additional guides (l2, C2, respectively located above the guides C3, C6, and central guide C5, and means for compelling the depression of the conveyer when near each end of the guideway, and the consequent elevation of the adjacent presser foot, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a machine for folding strips, thc opposite presser feet F, F, and the folder frame carrying the springs F, F, respectively counected to said presser feet, and a conveyer having a slot D2, and portions D',D, and means for enabling the conveyer to be reciprocated and alternately convey the strip to be folded to said presser feet, and lift said feet and insert one of said portions D below the said foot, along with the strip to be folded, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In a machine for folding strips, opposite presser feet, a frame connecting them, and having guides, and the conveyer having at each end lugs D4, D, and arm D, and a stop D", and the reciprocating pieces E, and means for enabling the arms DG to be operated by the said pieces, and the springs F", respect-y ively connected to a connection F3 of the adj acent presser'foot, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a machine for folding strips, opposite presser feet, a frame connecting them, and

having guides, and the conveyer having at eachend lugs D4, D4, and arm D6, and a stop D,and the reciprocating pieces E,'and meansy for enabling the armsD6 to be operated by the said pieces, and the adjustable spring F4, respectively connected to a connection F'of the adjacent presser foot, substantially as and for the purposes specified,

8. In a machine for folding strips, the oppo site presser feet, a frameconnecting them, and having guides, andthe conveyer having at each end lugs D4, D4, and arm D, and astop D9, and the reciprocating pieces E, and means for enabling the arms Dfte befoperatedby the said pieces, and the springs F4 connected by suitable connections to their respective presser feet, and the folder framey having the f projections F6, F, on which the spring rests,

and the set screw F5 located bewteen the said projections, substantially as rand, for the purf f poses specified.

f 9. A frame provided with presser feet, and

guide for allowing the frame to rise and fally vertically, but preventing horizontal move- 'mentthereo a conveyer Working in said frame being adapted and exerted to fold the strip and retain it in a folded condition, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a machine for folding flexible strips, the oppositely arranged presser feet, under which the opposite folds of the strip respectively lie, and a folder frame connecting the feet, located above the folded strip, and a con veyer in conjunction with the presser feet for folding the strip, the conveyer adapted to reciprocate between and under the presser feet and over the folded strip, and means substantially as described for enabling the front edge of the conveyer to be turned under and reversed and to successively fold alternate ends of the strip, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

l1. In a machine substantially as described for folding flexible strips into reciprocated folds, the oppositely arranged presser feet, under which the opposite folds of the strip respectively lie, and a frame, and a conveyer having parts D', D', and slot D2, and at each end an arm D8, the frame having a guideway therefor, consisting of elongated slots extending toward the opposite presser feet, and means for reciprocating the conveyer between and under the feet, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In a machine for folding strips, the opposite presser feet, a frame connecting them, and having guides, and the conveyer having at each end lugs D4, D4, and arm DG, and a stop ICO D9, and the reciprocating pieces E, and `means for enabling the arnnsD6 to be operated by the said pieces, and the springs F4 connected by suitable connections to their respective presser feet, and the folder frame having the projections F6, F6, on which the spring rests, and the set screw F5 located between the said f projections, the spring F4 having the slot F12, 

